Chicken with Rice and Picada

Unlike paella, which is a “dry” rice dish, arroz con pollo is typically cooked in a cazuela and has a moist, almost soupy consistency. Simple, yet satisfying, cazuela rice dishes are common family meals. This one is finished with an almond picada that lends a nutty, earthy flavor. The rice is cooked al punto, or “with just a bite.”

The Catalan tradition of using almond picada in sauces dates back to the thirteenth century.